Singer/Music Composer, Amaal Mallik On Using His Beard As A Thinking Device

Amaal Mallik sings/composes music. Amaal Mallik beards. Amaal Mallik does whatever the hell he wants. But well, no brooding anomaly ever walked the face of earth, to follow a tried-and-tested grooming routine. That's just zzz...boring. Every individual (however melodious or not) has his own way of taming a majestic mug. Maybe that involves a daily beard wash alone or fortnightly, four drops of an organic beard oil. Owner of the most instrumentally-tuned set of whiskers, Amaal Mallik has an exemplary beard routine himself.

And for our second edition of '30 Days 30 Beards', he lays it all down for us.

Do you think beards are overrated?

On the contrary, I think beards are underrated. They can instantly boost your personality, and make people notice you in the crowd. Plus, if groomed well, they pair well with almost everything too—a shirt or a suit.

How has growing a beard changed your life?

My beard is my thinking device—I'm always scratching, pulling and using it to think. That said, it's also a part of my personality now; just can't do without it. Besides, it has really elevated my confidence.

What made you grow it in the first place?

As a 19-year-old teenager, I was one of the few who still hadn't grown a full-blown beard (it was disappointing). This one fine day, the director of the film 'Tere Bin Laden' came to see me for a meeting (I was recording the background score of the movie). After being in the studio for about forty five minutes, he got up and asked me, "When is the composer coming?" I burst out laughing at that! He clearly didn't think I was old enough to be a composer. Since that very day, I've always ensured I'm sporting a beard. A bearded Amaal Mallik is how I know myself now! And it's been a while that I've gone clean shaven now.

Ever tried beard oils, shampoos, conditioners etc?

Your best and worst beard phase?

Way back in 2016, when I simultaneously recording for MS Dhoni, Badrinath Ki Dulhania and Airlift—I wasn't even getting the time to look into the mirror. That was my worst, worst phase for sure. However, at a recent trip to Manali with my homies, I experienced my best beard phase ever; it looked just right.